A battery powered by light and water

Scientists in the UK have found a way to power a computer so it never runs out – using just light and water as fuel. Researchers at the University of Cambridge used a type of algae – living things found mostly in water that (like plants) draw energy from sunlight through a process called photosynthesis. The process creates a slight electrical current that the researchers harnessed to power a tiny computer chip. Supplied with light and water, the system has run for more than a year with no sign of stopping. “We were impressed by how consistently the system worked over a long time,” said Dr Paolo Bombelli, who led the study. “We thought it might stop after a few weeks but it just kept going.” At the moment, many…

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The Week Junior (Digital) - 1 Issue, 339

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